Between 2022 and 2023, pure EV models increased their market share from 10% to 14.5%. However, it's clear the end of the EV subsidies had a big effect. While hybrid sales remained strong last year, new EV numbers plummeted. Just 7% of vehicles sold in 2025 were fully electric.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which are now subject to road user charges, were also out of favour. Just 4658 PHEVs were registered in NZ last year, while non plug-in hybrid sales were strong, matching those of petrol vehicles.
However, over the first five months of 2026, EV and PHEV sales rebounded considerably. And, marking a tipping point, sales of vehicles with non plug-in hybrid engines (of which just over 1% were diesel) surpassed those of cars with traditional combustion engines:
Sales by Engine Type 2025 | Sales by Engine Type 2026 |
|---|---|
40% Petrol | 35% Non plug-in hybrid |
40% Non plug-in hybrid | 33% Petrol |
8% Diesel | 15% EV |
7% EV | 10% Plug-in hybrid |
5% Plug-in hybrid | 7% Diesel |
Source: NZTA – 2026 sales to 31/05/26
So far this year, sales by engine type:
Non plug-in hybrids: 35% (14,894)
Top models include:
- Toyota RAV4 (2165)
- Toyota Corolla Cross (1185)
- Kia Sportage (1024)
Petrol: 33% (13,547 sales)
Top models include:
- Mitsubishi ASX (1534)
- Mitsubishi Outlander (1058)
- Kia Seltos (870)
EVs: 15% (6186 sales)
Top models include:
- Tesla Model Y (1000)
- Dongfeng Box (398)
- BYD Atto 1 (391)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: 10% (3992 sales)
Top models include:
- BYD Sealion 5 (365)
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (321)
- GWM Haval H6 (294)
Diesel: 7% (2836 sales)
Top models include:
- Ford Everest (1200)
- Land Rover Defender (203)
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (198)
Top selling EV models
As we mention above, so far this year EV sales have bounced back:
- 2023: 21,032 EVs
- 2024: 6341 EVs
- 2025: 6871 EVs
- 2026 (Jan-May): 6186 cars
And despite many new models hitting the market, such as the Dongfeng Box, the Tesla Model Y remains the country's most popular EV:
Rank | Top Selling EVs 2025 | Top Selling EVs 2026 |
|---|---|---|
1 | Tesla Model Y (1284) | Tesla Model Y (1000) |
2 | BYD Atto 3 (555) | Dongfeng Box (398) |
3 | Polestar 2 (354) | BYD Atto 1 (391) |
4 | BYD Sealion 7 (337) | BYD Atto 3 (295) |
5 | Tesla Model 3 (308) | BYD Atto 2 (288) |
6 | Kia EV5 (276) | Kia EV3 (267) |
7 | Kia EV3 (255) | BYD Sealion 7 (249) |
8 | BYD Dolphin (221) | Zeekr 7X (242) |
9 | Toyota BZ4X (192) | MG ZS (240) |
10 | BMW i (176) | MG 4 (218) |
11 | Honda e:N1 (171) | Kia EV5 (177) |
12 | Mini Countryman (151) | MG S5 (173) |
13 | Omoda E5 (128) | Tesla Model 3 (170) |
14 | Geely EX5 | Mini Aceman (111) | Dongfeng Vigo (150) |
15 | Volvo EX30 (109) | Toyota BZ4X (135) |
Source: NZTA – 2026 sales to 31/05/26





